Mr. Penza

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Mr. Penza

• Senior Project Coordinator
• East Greenwich Public Schools
• eghs.penza_at_gmail.com
• 401-398-1325

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How do I stay informed?

• I did not know is not an excuse!
• Ways to stay informed about Senior Project
• Email Mr. Penza directly
• Senior Project Website
• Stop by Room 243 and schedule an appointment

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Why Senior Project?

• Because RIDE says so!
• Senior Project is part of the Proficiency Based
  Graduation Requirement mandated by the Department
  of Education
• RI Board of Regents
• all high schools shall provide evidence of the
  manner in which they incorporate applied learning
  skills in communication, problem solving,
  critical thinking, research, and
  reflection/evaluation across all content areas

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Core Components of Senior Project

• Topic Selection
• Letter of Intent
• Mentor
• Field Work
• Research Paper
• Product
• Presentation
• Portfolio

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Senior Project Component Topic Selection

• Students will select a topic about which they are
  interested
• The best topics are those about which students
  have a real desire to learn more
• The project must represent a learning stretch
• Students may have previous skills or experience
  in the area which they are considering.
• BUT
• In order to fulfill Senior Project they will have
  to explore this subject in a genuinely new and
  challenging manner, not simply repeat what they
  already know or have previously learned.

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Senior Project Component Learning Stretch

• What is a learning stretch?
• A learning stretch is defined as the
  demonstration of knowledge and research over
  and beyond previously learned material. 
• Ex A student may have been playing soccer all
  of his/her life but has never coached someone on
  how to play soccer.

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Senior Project Component Letter of Intent

• First Piece of Senior Project
• Part of the final portfolio
• Student outlines his/her Senior Project
• Reviewed and assessed by the EGHS Faculty

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LOI Presentation Logistics

• Will be built in to the school day.
• Seniors will present their Senior Project to a
  panel of three judges. At least one of the
  teachers on the panel will have had the student
  for a year in class.
• Every senior must present, regardless of whether
  or not they are following the early or regular
  presentation schedule
• Presentations will last two minutes with an
  additional two minutes given for judges questions
• This will be a common task for English using the
  School Wide Oral Presentation Rubric

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Senior Project Component Mentor

• Who can be a Mentor?
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must be willing to give 15 hours of unpaid field
  work time with student
• Can not be a family member or relative
• Can not be a current employer
• Can not be a teacher at EGHS

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Senior Project Component Mentor

• What is the role of a Mentor?
• Advises student on field work
• Signs off on field work log
• The teacher of skills used to create product
• Helps guide student in creation of product
• Active guide for discussion and reflection on
  the field work process

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Senior Project Component Field Work

• Defined as documented hours of work a student
  will complete with his/her mentor during his/her
  senior year.
• Must be done with a Mentor
• Must represent a learning stretch
• F.W. Log required to document hours
• Field work process must equal Product

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Senior Project Component Research Paper

• Thesis driven
• Five to eight pages in length
• Must have a connection to Senior Project Topic
• Will be taught/covered in Junior and Senior
  full-year English Classes
• Can be written in student's junior year as well
  as senior year
• PBGR Coordinator is teacher/ assessor for
  students taking elective English classes

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Connecting the Research Paper to Senior Project
All students will include in their Senior Project
Portfolios an abstract (summary sheet) of their
Research Paper that conforms to the following
Guide Sheet.

• Abstract Guide Sheet
• Paragraph One
• What is your Research Paper thesis?
• Summarize the main points you use to support your
  thesis.
• What kind of sources did you use to support your
  thesis?
• What conclusions can you draw from your work
  writing your Research Paper?
• Paragraph Two
• Explain how and why you became interested in your
  Research Paper topic.
• Did you learn anything surprising while doing you
  research?
• Did you change you point of view in the midst of
  the research?
• What is the connection between the research paper
  and your senior project?
• How was your paper related to your product?
• Paragraph Three
• Describe your learning stretch.
• How was your project a challenge for you and how
  did it stretch your skills and knowledge?
• What types of problems did you have to solve?

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Senior Project Component Product

• The products require students to apply the
  knowledge gained during the fieldwork phase.
• Products must have a clear learning stretch
• The products must be completed on the students
  own time, must be challenging, and must require
  at least fifteen hours of work.
• Mentors may work with students to develop their
  product during this phase of Senior Project

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Senior Project Component Presentation

• Delivered to a panel of judges (teachers,
  community members, etc.)
• Eight to twelve minutes long
• Students will have a clear outline to follow
• Can be practiced after school in Room 112
• Each student will explain
• Connection of Research Paper and Project
• Learning Stretch of Project
• Description of Product

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Senior Project Component Portfolio

• Given to Senior Project Panels before
  Presentation
• Includes
• Letter of Introduction to Judges
• Letter of Intent
• Mentor Information/Parental Acknowledgement Form
• Research Paper Abstract
• Fieldwork Time Log signed by your mentor
• Four Fieldwork Journal entries
• Completed Product

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Senior Project Example

• Bob Smith
• Playing acoustic guitar, woodshop, football,
  karate, band
• Topic Acoustic Guitars
• Letter of Intent Build an acoustic guitar
• Mentor Matt Brown (owns custom guitar shop)
• Field Work Bob will
• learn how to put together a custom guitar
• learn what types of woods and metals are best in
  making an acoustic guitar
• learn how custom guitars are bought and sold from
  a small business owner
• Research Paper The use of Mahogany as the top
  wood in an acoustic guitar creates the best
  overall sound.
• Product A completed acoustic guitar with a price
  analysis that compares the price / benefits of
  making an acoustic guitar with the price/
  benefits of buying one off the shelf

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What should Juniors do NOW!!

• Dont Panic
• Dates change but the timeline doesnt
• Talk to seniors about their S.P. experience
• The dos donts
• Talk to Mr. Penza ?
• Look at your possible S.P. interests
• Try to tailor your junior research paper around
  these
• Keep EVERYTHING regarding your Research Paper
• Rubrics, drafts, teacher-corrected pieces,
  electronic copies, etc.
• Think about submitting your LOI early

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Questions for Brainstorming Topics S.P. R.P.

• Within the next five years what things do you
  hope to have accomplished?
• What things would you like to be able to do
  better?
• What do you wish you had more time for?
• What things would you like to learn more about?
• List some experiences that you really wish you
  could have.
• What controversial issues do you really feel
  strongly about?
• What is a profession you think about but have not
  seriously explored?
• What is one thing you believe needs to be
  improved?
• What classes have you taken and really liked?
• What is one handcrafted item you wish you could
  own?
• What do you wish would happen in your life?
• What goal have you avoided?
• What do you complain about?
• What do you like to get others to do?
• What is special or unique about you?
• What community group do you belong to / wish you
  belonged to?
• What cant you do, but would like to do?
• If you could earn 100.00 an hour doing anything,
  what would it be?